Two into seven won't go but Bud and Jamie find the solution

Two talented South Sydney players have been duelling for the Rabbitohs halfback jersey but both have such deep respect for the other that there will be no bunny fight over it. 

Jamie Humphreys and Jayden Sullivan are both 24 and both joined the Rabbitohs in 2025.  

They are now about to play in their first NRL finals series, when Souths play the Knights in a sudden-death semi-final at Allianz Stadium.

Humphreys had the inside running for the No.7 last season and up until Round 9 this year, when a rib injury put him on the sidelines for three weeks. 

In came Ashton Ward and Humphreys became the everywhere-man for coach Wayne Bennett playing at lock, hooker and back row as well as the halves. 

Ward suffered a season-ending hamstring tear in Round 23 and in came Sullivan for the final four games of the regular season.  

Sullivan and Humphreys played in the halves for the last 13 minutes of the 50-20 over the Roosters in Round 27, when five-eighth Cody Walker was given an early mark.  

They are both open about coveting the No.7 but are willing to work hard at training together and let the supercoach Wayne Bennett decide. 

“All of us in the spine talk a lot and I was lucky enough to play a fair bit alongside Cody last year,” Humphreys told NRL.com. 

“I’ve been pretty much on the same page as Cody and although I’ve not played as much with Jayden, I feel just as connected with him.” 

Sullivan enjoys the friendly rivalry with Humphreys and wants him in his team regardless of who plays halfback. 

“With Jamie he just puts the team first,” Sullivan said. 

“Obviously he wants to play a certain position and I want that same position. 

“But he’s a really good person and he’s going to have a wonderful career.

"He’s one of our best trainers – just look at his physique and you can see that.  

“He’s a player that staff are always trying to get off the field after training because he wants to stay out there and do extras.” 

Humphreys is looking at the upside of being called on to cover a number of positions off the bench. 

“I think taking opportunities in different positions exposes me to different scenarios,” he said. 

“If I bring that back to being a half, now that I’ve been defending in the middle a lot of this year, that’s going to help me a lot in the halves defensively. 

“I definitely had to toughen up a bit to play in the middle. And I’m gladly taking all those lessons. 

“Certainly elements of all that can only help me going forward when I get a chance back in the halves.” 

As for his relationship with Sullivan, he has seen the fight in him after coming from the Dragons and Wests Tigers with limited game time but still the hunger. 

“He’s really putting his best foot forward and playing with a lot of confidence which is awesome to see after some of the ups and downs he’s had,” Humphreys said. 

“We’re winning with him at No.7 so let’s hope he keeps that streak going.” 

For his part, Walker has a connection with both players but admires what Humphreys is doing. 

“I don’t many players that can come off the bench and play lock, hooker, half, five-eighth so Jamie's versatility is so valuable in our team and he’s got no issues with doing any of them," Walker said.

“There’s not many people in the NRL that can handle those types of roles.”